Chapter 23: An Unexpected Encounter with an Old Friend

Early in the morning, Chen Yuyi received a call from Bai Lang.

“Brother Yu, I’ve already given instructions as you asked. Our Bai Group’s stores will soon arrange for Miss Shen’s company’s products to be put on the shelves.”

“Good. Remember, everything must be arranged naturally. Don’t let her suspect anything.”

“Don’t worry, Brother Yu, you can count on me. Heh, by the way, is there a chance you could help me deal with that thing inside me?” Bai Lang asked cautiously. Although the time hadn’t come yet, his mind was constantly unsettled.

“I’ve told you, as long as you follow my orders, you won’t die,” Chen Yuyi replied coldly.

Bai Lang shrank on the other end of the line, afraid to say anything more on the matter. “By the way, Brother Yu, I heard there’s a large local herbal medicine trading market. We should be able to find some precious herbs there. Do you want me to accompany you?”

He was truly obedient to Chen Yuyi now. Firstly, his life was still in Chen Yuyi’s hands. Secondly, the methods Chen Yuyi had displayed that night still left him in fear. He had always admired people with unusual abilities; otherwise, he wouldn't have wanted to apprentice himself to Master Zhong before. Now, having met Chen Yuyi, he decided to curry favor with him wholeheartedly, caring little for Master Zhong.

Chen Yuyi thought for a moment and said, “No need. I’ll go take a look first. If I need you, I’ll call.”

He planned to check it out himself. If it turned out to require a large sum of money, he could always call Bai Lang later. After all, that wastrel had already said he would hand over the Bai family to him in the future.

Bai Lang agreed readily and gave Chen Yuyi the address of the herbal market.

After breakfast, Chen Yuyi took the bus leisurely to the herbal medicine market.

“This market looks quite large. There should be some aged herbs available,” he mused.

From the tone of the Dragon King yesterday, it seemed that only herbs at least five hundred years old would be useful. Of course, a thousand-year-old specimen would be even better.

“Chen Yuyi!” Suddenly, a slightly surprised voice called out.

Chen Yuyi turned toward the sound and saw a tall, thin man striding over.

“Damn, it’s really you!” The tall man scrutinized Chen Yuyi and then punched him in the chest.

Chen Yuyi smiled, making no reaction. “Zhang Tianyou!”

“Never expected to run into you here!” Zhang Tianyou threw his arm around Chen Yuyi’s shoulder. “How have you been these years? I heard you’ve been studying in Jiangcheng, almost graduated, right?”

“Yes. How have you been?” This man was a friend from Chen Yuyi’s high school days. After Chen Yuyi left for university in Jiangcheng, Zhang Tianyou had gone into business with his father, and the two had lost touch.

“Oh, me? What can I say—I’ve been traveling around with my father these years. Life’s been better, but I can’t compare to you, a bona fide university student!” Zhang Tianyou sighed.

Chen Yuyi understood. His hometown was a small town, where people respected those who went to university. But in these big cities, being a university student meant little.

“All right, don’t complain. This university student isn’t worth much—soon I won’t even be able to support myself.”

“Enough of that. So, what are you doing here?” Zhang Tianyou waved, changing the subject.

“I’m here to look at some herbal medicines. How about you?”

“I just purchased a batch of herbs and had them sent back. Actually, I’ve been in Jiangcheng for some time, always wanted to look you up, just felt awkward about it. Now, what a coincidence that I ran into you! Come, what kind of herbs are you looking for? Once we’re done, let’s have a proper get-together!”

Zhang Tianyou spoke as he pulled Chen Yuyi further inside.

“Yuyi, not to boast, but in this area I’ve got some connections. Whatever you need, just say the word—I’ll recommend the best!”

“I’m looking for some aged herbs, preferably around a thousand years old.” Seeing that a familiar face could save him some trouble, Chen Yuyi spoke directly.

Zhang Tianyou was taken aback. “You’re here for highly aged herbs?”

“What, don’t tell me there aren’t any here?” Chen Yuyi asked with a smile.

Zhang Tianyou studied him up and down. “Such herbs are rare and very expensive. Are you sure—”

He didn’t finish his sentence, but Chen Yuyi understood, merely smiling lightly. “If I can’t afford them, I’ll just take a look.”

“All right, then we won’t bother with this market.” With that, Zhang Tianyou suddenly led Chen Yuyi outside.

“Why?” Chen Yuyi questioned.

“This market is just an ordinary trading area. The most expensive items here are under a hundred thousand, most are just a few thousand or a few hundred. You won’t find highly aged herbs here; if any do show up, sharp-eyed dealers snap them up immediately,” Zhang Tianyou explained as they walked.

Soon he brought Chen Yuyi before five well-dressed young men and women: two men and three women, all clad in designer brands. The men wore luxury watches on their wrists, the women carried or slung branded bags, exuding an air of wealth.

“Zhang Tianyou, do you still want your job? You’ve wasted enough time!” A beauty holding an LV bag raised her proud face, clearly displeased.

Zhang Tianyou smiled awkwardly at Chen Yuyi, then bent over obsequiously to the woman. “Miss Zhu, this is an old classmate I happened to run into. We chatted a bit, and it turns out he’s also here for aged herbs. Could we bring him along?”

“Him? His whole outfit isn’t worth two hundred yuan and he wants to buy aged herbs?” The woman rolled her eyes.

The other four burst out laughing, their derision unmasked.

Zhang Tianyou kept smiling, secretly tugging at Chen Yuyi, afraid he’d lose his temper. He turned to Miss Zhu, pleading, “Miss Zhu, I’m begging you, we’re close friends. Let him tag along, just for the experience. One more person isn’t much.”

The woman seemed impatient. “Fine, fine, I’ll be charitable. My brother’s waiting over there, but remember, you can bring whoever you want, just don’t make trouble!” Without another glance at them, she put on her sunglasses and slipped into a convertible BMW.

The other two men and two women each got into their own luxury cars.

Chen Yuyi said nothing throughout. He certainly wasn’t about to fuss with these people.

But Zhang Tianyou felt embarrassed. “Yuyi, I’m sorry. I work at a pharmaceutical company now. That was our boss’s daughter, Zhu Shaoqi. She has a brother, Zhu Shaohui. My job is basically running errands for them.”

“Didn’t you go into business with your father? Why are you working for others now?” Chen Yuyi couldn’t help but ask.

Zhang Tianyou gave a bitter smile. “I’ll tell you about it another time. Those with Zhu Shaoqi were all her usual friends, families with assets. Just bear with it, don’t take it to heart.”

With that, he led Chen Yuyi into his Passat.

“Don’t worry, I don’t know them, so I have no reason to care,” Chen Yuyi replied with a gentle smile. He understood Zhang Tianyou was just looking out for him, afraid he couldn’t afford to offend those people, not realizing they weren’t worth Chen Yuyi’s concern.

Zhang Tianyou nodded in relief. After starting the car, he joked, “Aren’t you curious where I’m taking you?”

“You went out of your way to speak for me in front of that young lady, so wherever you’re heading must be a worthwhile place,” Chen Yuyi smiled.

Zhang Tianyou nodded as he explained, “It’s indeed a good place. It’s a gathering spot for the wealthy—rare items abound, including aged herbs. It’s the largest underground market in Jiangzhong. Even out-of-town tycoons trade there regularly. But it’s not a place ordinary people can enter. I’ve only been there once, accompanying Shaohui. Today’s a chance—Miss Zhu wants to see it too and invited some friends, so we can tag along.”

He seemed to recall something. “But herbs over a thousand years old are tricky. They’re incredibly rare, and if any are available, the price is astronomical.”

“No matter. I’ll just go for the experience,” Chen Yuyi replied calmly, knowing Zhang Tianyou was considerate of him.

Zhang Tianyou nodded, then asked, “What do you need these herbs for?” He slapped his forehead. “I almost forgot. I went back home recently and visited your father. I heard he had a serious illness. You want to help him recuperate, right?”

Chen Yuyi smiled and nodded, saying nothing more. In fact, his father had recovered well, and once Chen Yuyi mastered his cultivation, he would naturally help his father live a long and healthy life.

“In that case, I’ll see if there’s a suitable wild ginseng later. Consider it my contribution—don’t fight me to pay for it!” Zhang Tianyou spoke with a hint of insistence.

Chen Yuyi didn’t object. This old friend was quite loyal, and he wouldn’t mind returning the favor in the future.

The Passat wound along a mountain road and arrived at a picturesque lakeside—the largest lake in Jiangzhong, East Screen Lake.

“By the way, Yuyi, I should remind you: the Zhu family’s Taiqing Pharmaceuticals is the leading company in Jiangzhong’s pharmaceutical industry. The young lady can be temperamental, so try to endure it and leave a good impression. If you do, you won’t have to worry about finding a job after graduation!” Zhang Tianyou advised kindly.

Chen Yuyi merely smiled and nodded.

The car entered a parking lot by the lake.

It wasn’t large, but it was crowded with luxury cars.

Zhu Shaoqi and her companions were already laughing in the rest area. When they saw Chen Yuyi arrive, their laughter grew louder.

Standing beside her was a tall, handsome young man in a white shirt, casual pants, and polished shoes—an unmistakable symbol of status. This was Zhu Shaohui.

“Go get the case from my trunk,” Zhu Shaohui said, much more serious than his sister and her friends. He spoke indifferently to Zhang Tianyou, seeming unconcerned about the extra person, or perhaps simply ignoring Chen Yuyi.

Zhang Tianyou immediately fetched a coded suitcase.

Then Zhu Shaohui waved his hand, and the group headed toward an underground passage.

“Stop! Entry is strictly forbidden to ordinary persons!”